A/N: This is my entry for The Age of Edward contest. It's a long entry. When I wrote and edited this story, I did it in sections, so I'm going to post it as a few chapters instead of as a one-shot. Thanks so much to dazzled eyes22 for pre-reading this and giving me amazing feedback. Thanks to PTB betas: Jcat5507 and batgirl8968. I had never written in 3rd person or in past tense before writing this. I learned so much.

Wisteria was Spanglemaker9 and Abadkitty's judges choice, and SassyKathy's runner up choice! I still can't believe it. I'm so excited! I'll post the beautiful reward banner by BettiGefecht, on my profile. Wisteria also tied for an honorable mention in the public vote. Thanks to everyone who voted!

There are many great entries in the contest. If you haven't already, definitely check them out.

Disclaimer: The author does not own any publicly recognizable entities herein. No copyright infringement is intended.

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Forks Prairie, Washington 1926

Prologue

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As she shuffled through the desolate house, the wooden floors were cold under her feet, penetrating through her shoes like the winter frost that freezes everything in place. Wisteria vines grew up the windows—an entrapment of memories, of faith that it was real.

A mound of blankets, shoved in a corner, was the only reminder within the house that he was ever there.

Hysteria clouded her reality. She fell to her knees on the heap of cloth, lifted it to her nose, breathed it in, but she didn't find the scent she sought. A jagged fingernail snagged on the linen as she bunched the fabric in her hands. While she sat there taking it all in, her eyes fell closed at the same speed as the setting sun. Sobs shook through her from a building pressure that could find no relief.

His words replayed—none of them goodbye, but all of them meaning it. If she hadn't been blind, she would have tried to stop him from leaving. If only she could have seen it coming.

Drying her eyes, she stood on shaky legs.

A lone spider, perched on its web in a high corner, witnessed every feeling that passed between the two lovers. His many eyes caught every emotion; the curiosity, the joy, and the most powerful emotion of all, pain.

She left then, leaving her heartache in the empty house where the strength of its fury could have set the place to flame. With her shoulders back, without an ounce of regret, she made her way back to the only life that had ever been certain.

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